𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖 • 𝚐𝚕𝚎𝚎

𝚇𝙸𝙸𝙸

The time had come. Nationals. The kids had already preformed, now it was just a matter of who won. I stood up on the stage, looking out amongst the crowd. Remembering how I had been in this same position not that long ago. I scanned the room, finding the five faces I really wanted to see.

It was hard to convince them all to come. Sam, well, he was going to come with he liked it or not. Finn was there for moral support. Lexie, Scarlett, and Santana were the ones that needed the convincing. They were a little hesitant to come, considering the fact that when we had won nationals, they graduated a week or so later and never got the chance to enjoy the win, because they were preparing to go their seperate ways. 

I sighed and closed my eyes, feeling that feeling that I had felt when I was younger. "And now...The first place winner of the 2015 High School Show Choir National Championship is.....The New Directions!"

I opened my eyes, seeing the bright colored confetti come raining down on us. The stage was loud, as one of the kids--I don't know who, I wasn't paying attention--ran over to get the trophy. I smiled brightly as I looked out amongst the crowd. The entire crowd was cheering, smiling. It felt amazing. To be able to feel that feeling again. 

I looked down and over to Finn who was smiling almost as bright as I was giving me two thumbs up, like he always did. I laughed a little and rolled my eyes before I was getting the trophy handed to me. And at that moment, as I looked at the trophy, the entire world froze. 

**

"Wait, what?" 

"I want you to coach the Trouble Tones." 

I stopped in my tracks and turned to him. "I-I don't even have a teaching degree. I did this because the school needed it, and now, I'm gonna get married, go back to New York, a-and do the things I wanted to do before I came back here." Mr. Shue smiled at me. 

"Do you really want to go back to New York?" He asked me. I sighed. "I don't know what I want. But...wouldn't I need a teaching degree now? That it's becoming an actual class?" 

"You won't need it, okay? It's not becoming an actual class, still an extracurricular. You are now a two time National championship winner. Why wouldn't you want to?" 

I sighed and looked to the ground. I thought for a minute, about what to say. "My whole life I wanted to go to New York. My whole life. The minute I watched my very first movie and could comprehend what was happening. That was the one thing I looked forward too. The one thing that I knew I could accomplish, no matter how hard my life was." I told him, sitting down on the piano bench. 

"I always had this vision, you know? I would be this successful movie star, and then one day, I would come back here and give my mom everything she ever wanted. I would be able to make her life ten times better. And then, whatever I had left I would give to Finn, and spend on my family--meaning if I had one. Everything would be perfect. And I mean, I messed that up when I dropped out of college." 

Mr. Shue looked at me. He smiled, and then made that face that he always made when he was coming up with ideas. I just stared at him, unsure of what to do. "Okay, so, you had a vision about going to New York, right? Well, how much would your dream change if you stayed here?" 

I shrugged. "You love acting, right?" I nodded. "What's your passion? What is something that makes your heart light up the minute you think about it?" 

I thought for a minute. That was never a question I asked myself. "Music. Music is my passion. All throughout high school, Glee was my passion." He nodded and sat down on the bench next to me. "So, would you rather follow your passion or do something that you love?" 

I looked down to the black and white keys on the piano, clicking them here and there. "My passion. I would love to follow my passion, but...my life is in New York." 

"So, move your life here." 

"But Sam-" 

"Loves you. I've seen it. From Sophomore year to Senior year, I saw the way you two loved each other. Even if it was hidden for the most part." 

I nodded. "So, I'll talk to him about it. I mean, most of the wedding stuff is here. I live in his apartment. And Finn...well, I'll see him whenever I feel like it." I smiled a little as I looked back over at him. "Alright, I'll do it. I'll coach the Trouble Tones." 

Mr. Shue laughed a little before pulling me into a side hug. I smiled and for a minute, the world went a little bit lighter.